Ontario Premier Doug Ford declares state of emergency over trucker blockades

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency in response to ongoing blockades in Ottawa and Windsor, Ont.

During a news conference Friday morning, Ford says he will use legal measures to implement orders that will make it clear that blocking and impeding the movement of goods and services along critical infrastructure, including international border crossings, 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges and railways, is illegal and punishable.

Fines for non-compliance will be up to $100,000 and up to a year imprisonment, Ford added.

“While these emergency orders will be temporary, we have every intention to bring new legislation forward that will make these measures permanent in law,” said Ford. “We are taking the steps necessary to support our police as they do what it takes to restore law and order.”

A protest against COVID-19 measures has clogged Ottawa’s downtown core for nearly two weeks and a blockade at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor to Detroit is now on its fifth day.

The border crossing is considered the busiest commercial land border crossing in North America.

It’s disrupting the flow of auto parts and other products across the border and has already forced automotive plants across Ontario to cut back production and send hundreds of workers home.

“This is a pivotal moment for our nation. The eyes of the world are upon us right now,” said Ford. “And what they are seeing, it’s not who we are. This is not what Canada is about.”

Ford says while the past two years have been difficult for all Canadians, the illegal occupations in Ottawa and Windsor need to end.